Monday, June 15, 2009
This past weekend was an enjoyable weekend. I didn't have a scrambles outing and my hiking friends were busy so I went out by myself. I actually slept in and spent time talking in bed with Kurtis, which rarely happens. Kurt went off to the raceways to see some speciality go-cart that a friend of his had built and was racing. Aaron met up with Kurt and they both did a little go-cart racing.
I went to Mt. Si. The trail was more or less a freeway - there were at least 300 people on the trail on Saturday. The weather conditions were perfect. Perfect to me means that it's not too hot, not too cold, no rain, no wind. I kind of took my time, but still made it to the summit within the required time for the mountaineers conditioning hikes. I kept leap-frogging with another young couple. I'd say, "Go ahead, I'm taking my time and enjoying myself today." On the way down they passed me and I said, "Go ahead. . ." and the guy said, "Hey you said the same thing on the way up and we both got there about the same time. I passed another girl on the trail who was going so slow! She had one 16 oz. Gatorade bottle in her hand (I had my pack with some, but not all of my gear in it). This girl said that she was training to go to Mt. Rainier on the 3rd of July. Of course, that struck my curiosity and we had a conversation. Interestingly enough, she's on one of the guided tours and is paying $1,200.00 to go up. Not only that, but she has to rent the gear for the trip: ice axe, crampons, climbing harness, etc. She said she's been to Camp Muir 4 times before. Okay, that made me feel more confident in myself. I never did see her show up at the summit of Si, although I probably just wasn't paying attention when she came in.
When I came home from Si Kurt was sitting in the driveway working on a motorcycle that he'd bought a garage sale. He bought it so that I could come riding with him. It's just an 80, but it's definitely a bike that I feel comfortable on. Anyway, he'd had the neighbor boy over (who's a teacher) to test out the bike. He challenged me to start it up, kick it in to first gear and ride it around the yard in better time than what Logan did. Well, I started it on the first try and made it around the yard several times. Then, I took it out on the street. Gee, that made Kurt happy. By the way, I called Kurt on the way up to Si to get a little TLC and support and got none of that. He was busy and had to go. Then, my phone died at the top and I couldn't call him. So. . . dragging my fat butt up a mountain (climbing mountains) doesn't impress him, but apparently riding around the neighborhood on the motorcylce impresses him. It's the simple things that matter right? At any rate, it'd be fun to get out for a little ride with Kurtis sometime in the future. He hasn't been riding since he broke his back last year and I know he'd really like to get out on the trail and see how he does. I told him that he couldn't ride anymore, because of his back. I know that he loves dirt-biking and he's really good at it. I guess we'll have to see how it goes.
Saturday night we went to Panini's in Enumclaw. We had a great meal and shared a piece of butterscotch lush pie. Then, we went home intending to watch a movie. However, we saw a great program on the Discovery Channel and started watching that. Kurt was asleep in no time. I went up stairs and got sleepy myself. We're both beginning to enjoy the finer things in life, like a good nights sleep.
On Sunday, Kurt had early meetings and he was double nice to me - I got to sleep in again. It was Ben Swisher's farewell on Sunday. He's a convert to the church and he's a friend of Chad's. He gave such an awesome talk about becoming the best person he can be and how coming into the church is like coming home. I feel that same way about the church. Wherever I've gone in the world I walk into the chapel and I feel like I've come home. The most touching was when Ben thanked his parents for helping him to become who he is. Then, he thanked his mom for coming to his farewell and told her that she was beautiful. Talk about making me cry. . . The whole day was that kind of a day. We ended it by going to the Joseph's house for a Sri Lankan meal. Charles is an excellent cook and we loved the whole meal. I think I barely beat Kurtis out by eating just a few more bites of the shrimp curry - it was hot!
Today is the last full day of school. Tomorrow we have an early release and then a staff luncheon afterwards, which is always a great celebration for the teachers. I have a long list of things that I want to do. I'm heading REI and Second Ascent tommorow to get a climbing harness. Yahoo!
I went to Mt. Si. The trail was more or less a freeway - there were at least 300 people on the trail on Saturday. The weather conditions were perfect. Perfect to me means that it's not too hot, not too cold, no rain, no wind. I kind of took my time, but still made it to the summit within the required time for the mountaineers conditioning hikes. I kept leap-frogging with another young couple. I'd say, "Go ahead, I'm taking my time and enjoying myself today." On the way down they passed me and I said, "Go ahead. . ." and the guy said, "Hey you said the same thing on the way up and we both got there about the same time. I passed another girl on the trail who was going so slow! She had one 16 oz. Gatorade bottle in her hand (I had my pack with some, but not all of my gear in it). This girl said that she was training to go to Mt. Rainier on the 3rd of July. Of course, that struck my curiosity and we had a conversation. Interestingly enough, she's on one of the guided tours and is paying $1,200.00 to go up. Not only that, but she has to rent the gear for the trip: ice axe, crampons, climbing harness, etc. She said she's been to Camp Muir 4 times before. Okay, that made me feel more confident in myself. I never did see her show up at the summit of Si, although I probably just wasn't paying attention when she came in.
When I came home from Si Kurt was sitting in the driveway working on a motorcycle that he'd bought a garage sale. He bought it so that I could come riding with him. It's just an 80, but it's definitely a bike that I feel comfortable on. Anyway, he'd had the neighbor boy over (who's a teacher) to test out the bike. He challenged me to start it up, kick it in to first gear and ride it around the yard in better time than what Logan did. Well, I started it on the first try and made it around the yard several times. Then, I took it out on the street. Gee, that made Kurt happy. By the way, I called Kurt on the way up to Si to get a little TLC and support and got none of that. He was busy and had to go. Then, my phone died at the top and I couldn't call him. So. . . dragging my fat butt up a mountain (climbing mountains) doesn't impress him, but apparently riding around the neighborhood on the motorcylce impresses him. It's the simple things that matter right? At any rate, it'd be fun to get out for a little ride with Kurtis sometime in the future. He hasn't been riding since he broke his back last year and I know he'd really like to get out on the trail and see how he does. I told him that he couldn't ride anymore, because of his back. I know that he loves dirt-biking and he's really good at it. I guess we'll have to see how it goes.
Saturday night we went to Panini's in Enumclaw. We had a great meal and shared a piece of butterscotch lush pie. Then, we went home intending to watch a movie. However, we saw a great program on the Discovery Channel and started watching that. Kurt was asleep in no time. I went up stairs and got sleepy myself. We're both beginning to enjoy the finer things in life, like a good nights sleep.
On Sunday, Kurt had early meetings and he was double nice to me - I got to sleep in again. It was Ben Swisher's farewell on Sunday. He's a convert to the church and he's a friend of Chad's. He gave such an awesome talk about becoming the best person he can be and how coming into the church is like coming home. I feel that same way about the church. Wherever I've gone in the world I walk into the chapel and I feel like I've come home. The most touching was when Ben thanked his parents for helping him to become who he is. Then, he thanked his mom for coming to his farewell and told her that she was beautiful. Talk about making me cry. . . The whole day was that kind of a day. We ended it by going to the Joseph's house for a Sri Lankan meal. Charles is an excellent cook and we loved the whole meal. I think I barely beat Kurtis out by eating just a few more bites of the shrimp curry - it was hot!
Today is the last full day of school. Tomorrow we have an early release and then a staff luncheon afterwards, which is always a great celebration for the teachers. I have a long list of things that I want to do. I'm heading REI and Second Ascent tommorow to get a climbing harness. Yahoo!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Well, I think it's time to start blogging. Kurtis and I have been married for nearly 6 years. I teach elementary school and Kurtis is a research engineer at Boeing. Kurtis serves in the ward bishopric. I am the ward YW camp director this year. Can you guess who is busier?
I only have 3 more in-school days left. Students have no idea just how excited teachers are about summer break. I have a lot of plans for the summer and I'm looking forward to enjoying every minute of every day. Kurt will tell you that I am a lot nicer in the summer than when school is in session. I've told him that anytime he's ready to have me stop working I'll be happy to oblige.
Several months ago I joined the Mountaineers. I've been learning how to alpine scramble. Scrambling is off-trail travel without roping up. I have learned all kinds of new skills. I've been hiking every weekend . . . yes, every weekend. I am having experiences that I never would have imagined. I've learned to love the outdoors. I feel fortunate to be outside seeing some of the most beautiful country in the northwest. I wish that Kurt could come with me. Kurt's knees go up hills, but aren't so great coming down them. So, I try to share all that I can about what I've done, what I've seen and what I still hope to do. I'm hoping to get Kurt out with a backpack so that we can do some simple backpacking and serious nature watching and much-needed alone time together this summer. Have you ever experienced living with someone and missing them at the same time? I feel that way with Kurt. We live in the same house, but we rarely get to spend time together.
Kurt is dedicated to his calling, his family and all of the challenges that come along. Kurt is the kind of guy that everyone loves. Kurt is a people-pleaser who takes little time for himself, but shares his time and talents with everyone else. We have seven children between us. Four children belong to Kurt and three are mine. My daughter Tonja lives in Utah. My son Chad is in Nebraska working for the summer. My son Brandon is finishing up spring quarter at Seattle Community College and then he'll be heading out to work for Suntrek Tours again this summer. Kurt's son Adam lives in Factoria. His son Aaron lives with Des Lewis in Kent. Rachel and Haleigh live with us. I miss my kids. Sometimes it's hard for me to stand back and watch them come to adulthood on their own. I'm at the age and stage of my life that I feel I need to do some living for myself. I need to move, I need to breathe, I need to celebrate the gifts in life that I've been given.
I only have 3 more in-school days left. Students have no idea just how excited teachers are about summer break. I have a lot of plans for the summer and I'm looking forward to enjoying every minute of every day. Kurt will tell you that I am a lot nicer in the summer than when school is in session. I've told him that anytime he's ready to have me stop working I'll be happy to oblige.
Several months ago I joined the Mountaineers. I've been learning how to alpine scramble. Scrambling is off-trail travel without roping up. I have learned all kinds of new skills. I've been hiking every weekend . . . yes, every weekend. I am having experiences that I never would have imagined. I've learned to love the outdoors. I feel fortunate to be outside seeing some of the most beautiful country in the northwest. I wish that Kurt could come with me. Kurt's knees go up hills, but aren't so great coming down them. So, I try to share all that I can about what I've done, what I've seen and what I still hope to do. I'm hoping to get Kurt out with a backpack so that we can do some simple backpacking and serious nature watching and much-needed alone time together this summer. Have you ever experienced living with someone and missing them at the same time? I feel that way with Kurt. We live in the same house, but we rarely get to spend time together.
Kurt is dedicated to his calling, his family and all of the challenges that come along. Kurt is the kind of guy that everyone loves. Kurt is a people-pleaser who takes little time for himself, but shares his time and talents with everyone else. We have seven children between us. Four children belong to Kurt and three are mine. My daughter Tonja lives in Utah. My son Chad is in Nebraska working for the summer. My son Brandon is finishing up spring quarter at Seattle Community College and then he'll be heading out to work for Suntrek Tours again this summer. Kurt's son Adam lives in Factoria. His son Aaron lives with Des Lewis in Kent. Rachel and Haleigh live with us. I miss my kids. Sometimes it's hard for me to stand back and watch them come to adulthood on their own. I'm at the age and stage of my life that I feel I need to do some living for myself. I need to move, I need to breathe, I need to celebrate the gifts in life that I've been given.
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